Newsbites: Jake E Lee back in action

Recruiting: Jake E Lee

Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E Lee has begun work on a musical project after nearly a decade of keeping a low profile – and he’s looking for a singer to front it. His new album will feature guest vocals from musicians including Paul Di’Anno, Robin Zander and Maria Brink, while the wanted artist will deliver at least one track on the record then perform all of them on tour. Lee says the singer “must be capable of singing a couple of Ozzy and Badlands songs, while having a strong-enough identity to carry the band into the future.” Those interested should email ronnie@hideoutlv.com and provide an example of their interpretation of one of those songs.

Eddie Van Halen appeared in good health when he was seen attending a Tremonti concert in Kansas at the weekend. It was the first time the guitarist had been spotted in public after his band cancelled tour dates when he needed emergency surgery. Some reports suggested an extreme diet had put him at death’s door.

The Treatment will play a special headline show at The Underworld in London on Saturday, December 15. Tickets are just £10 and you can get them here. The band’s latest single/video, Shake The Mountain, is now set for release on November 5 via Spinefarm; it comes complete with two bonus acoustic tracks, previously unreleased. Following this, from November 29 – December 11, the Cambridge-based band will be special guesting on tour with Thin Lizzy in the UK.

Dinosaur Jr frontman J Mascis says Kurt Cobain asked him to sign up with Nirvana twice – once in 1989 then again the following year. “Kurt said, ‘You should join my band,’” Mascis reports. “I think I he sick of Jason Everman, who was in the band at the time time. I didn’t think much about it. There was also talk of playing drums on a single they were doing.” [Banana 1015]

Ann Wilson of Heart says the early music video era was frustrating because she received so many comments about her weight. “It was a struggle – it’s such a worthless critique because what’s important is what’s coming out of the art, the music,” she reflects. “It didn’t take long to get sick of the video artifice. After a year or two it was like, ‘Can we move on now?’ That was the most sexist period I’ve ever lived through – much more than the 1970s.” [Fox]

Creed frontman Scott Stapp says rapper TI saved his life after he tried to escape from a potential drugs bust.  The singer explains he was in a Miami hotel and “started hearing things like the cops were coming through the door, and I started thinking, ‘I can’t embarrass my family.’” Stapp crawled across his penthouse balcony but fell 40 feet, fracturing his skull and breaking his hip. He lay unaided for over two hours before TI discovered him and “took care of the situation.” [VH1]

Stone Sour have announced Johnu Chow as their new bassist following the departure of Shawn Economaki. Guitarist Josh Rand says: “Johny is a fantastic player and a long-time friend. We are all excited to have him part of what will be our most exciting and ambitious album cycle yet.” Part one of their double-sections House of Gold and Bones, with bass tracks recorded by Rachel Bolan, is released later this month.

ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons admits the band could be guilty of using the line “Have mercy” on more tracks than any other outfit in modern times. “You kind of found us out about that,” he says. “We’ve been throwing that in since almost the start because it’s part of the shared blues tradition that’s been at the base of what we’ve been doing for – can you believe it? – 42 years.” [Classic Rock Revisited]

Metallica have released a free download of their 1994 show in Middletown, New York, during their Summer Shit tour. Get the file.

Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil says his broken foot requires him to wear surgical footwear on stage. “It broke in two spots,” he comments, “but it broke to where you can’t cast it so I have to wear a boot. The boot the doctors gave me keeps it pretty steady, so onstage I can get around. I’m mostly hopping – well, not hopping; it’s a big boot so it’s a little awkward. But I didn’t have to cancel any shows.” The injury is expected to take up to six months to heal.

John Petrucci has borrowed a quote from Neil Peart of Rush to describe his feelings about touring now Dream Theater have completed their first trek with new drummer Mike Mangini. Petrucci says: “‘We each pay a fabulous price for our visions of paradise’ sums up the sacrifice all of us make to live out our dreams. What I will remember most is how gracious and welcoming all our fans were as we introduced Mike, and all the support and faith you showed us right from the beginning.”

Meanwhile, former sticksman Mike Portnoy delivered a spirited lead vocal on a cover version of the Osmonds’ Crazy Horses while performing as part of Neal Morse’s touring band. View it below.